saltash.net community school

Students at saltash.net participated in the Big Bird Watch organised by the RSPB. This involved students collecting real scientific data to identify bird species using iPads. The iPads were a huge hit with the students allowing them to document bird sighting, discover scientific information regarding the specific species of birds identified and listen to the individual bird songs.

This is an important ecological survey as the data collected will be used by the RSPB to see a snap shot of bird numbers in the local area. Their data may identify whether some birds are disappearing such as house sparrows and starlings. None of which were identified by the students on the day.

The students participation in the Bird Watch received much local interest and involved ITV Westcountry visiting saltash.net to film what they were doing. You can see the news piece here:

http://www.itv.com/westcountry-west/birdwatching-survey06945

What the students thought?

“It was nice to do something that would help someone else and be used by real scientists rather than it just for our own learning” Peter Yr8

“I loved using the technology because it made it more interesting rather than just writing down stuff, you find out more about the birds to verify what it was and we could use the iPads to listen to the sounds they make” Lydia Yr8

“I really enjoyed seeing all the different types of birds using technology I’ve never had contact with before” Georgina Yr9

If you would like to join in with the Big Bird Watch then please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

As part of our preparations for Safer Internet Day 2012, we have been running Esafety sessions with Year 4, 5 and 6 students from our primary partner schools over the last couple of weeks. In addition this week we have been running whole school assemblies raising the profile of Esafety, here is an overview of what we have done in the 15 minute assembly:

The power of technology

Students watched the Google Chrome featuring Jamal Edwards as they were entering:

Will you be the next Jamal?
We then highlighted all the ways that they use technology in positive ways and some of the entrepreneurial ways they are using it in school and outside of school.

We then asked them do they always use it appropriately? Do they act responsibly online? Do they safeguard themselves and their friends?

The potential dangers

The students then watched the ten minute new film from CEOPS called ‘Exposed’

It is a long video but is very powerful
We then highlighted some of the other potential dangers or activities that seemed to be happening recently regarding the use of Facebook etc.

Where to go for help?

We highlighted all of the in school support and where they could go if they had any concerns or worries regarding any of the content in the video and then shared the national channels of support which are discussed in the video such as childline.

Key message

We ended the assembly by saying that we know they use the internet and technology in wonderful ways, it is integrated in their way of life, it is how they socialise we don’t want them to be scared of using it or to stop. We just want them to use it responsibly, safely and appropriately. By understanding the potential dangers they can ensure they safeguard themselves and their friends and family.

We ended showing the video clip below to go back to the positive things about technology and to look to the future.

What will be next?

Other activities

We will be running other activities in the next week or two such as a competition to write and perform a rap all about Esafety and also a competition for a group of students to write and perform their own short piece of drama centered around the social issues of the internet. We will be posting examples of the winners on the school website in time for the 7th February 2012. Some of our students will also be taking part in the Safer Internet Day radio broadcast details of which can be seen below:

You can now download the latest school newsletter by following the link below

• Click to download the January Newsletter (274KB)

You can now find the latest Child Protection policy for download in the Policies section of the website or by clicking below.

• Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy (PDF)

Along with the other schools and colleges in South East Cornwall, saltash.net recently hosted a visit to the school of Malcolm Bell, Head of Tourism for Visit Cornwall, and Stephen Towers, Director of St Mellion International Resort. Accompanying them were Tim Bareham, 14-19 coordinator for South East Cornwall, and Peter Castell from Cornwall College, Saltash.

Malcolm and Stephen were keen to see the recent building developments which have taken place at the schools in Saltash, Callington, Liskeard, Torpoint and Looe as well as at Cornwall College, Saltash, as part of a government sponsored initiative designed to provide state of the art facilities to support teaching and learning in the areas of Travel and Tourism, Hospitality and Catering, Business Studies and Sport and Leisure. St Mellion itself currently has a building project underway, designed to be the hub for the satellite learning centres across South East Cornwall.

During the hour long visit, Malcolm and Stephen visited the newly created 14-19 learning space and were given a demonstration by saltash.net’s technical consultant, Adam Ledger, on the state of the art video conferencing facilities. They also had an opportunity to meet informally in the 6th form Day Room with two of the Head Student team, Adam Riglar and Lisa Todd, as well as other members of the school council when they discussed, among other things, the identified benefits of their newly improved learning environment.

Commenting on the very welcome visit, Assistant Headteacher, Andy Oldfield, who was involved in the original bid to secure the additional funding from central government to create the new facilities said, “We are very appreciative of the support that has been given by Stephen and Malcolm. The new build at St Mellion will provide a first class learning resource for students in this area and, hopefully, help them progress successfully with careers in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality sector, as well as many other related areas.”

The Right Reverend Bishop Tim Thornton, or Bishop Tim as he prefers to be known, was the guest of honour at saltash.net community school’s annual 6th form Presentation evening held on Thursday 5th January in the main hall. Bishop Tim congratulated all of the students on their excellent A Level results and on the superb contribution they had made to the life of the school and to the local community during the time they were in the 6th form.

Headteacher, Mrs Bryce, and Head of 6th form, Mr Scantlebury, both added their thanks and congratulations and wanted special mention to be made of the support and encouragement given by the parents who play a key part in helping the students achieve their very best.

Following the presentation of A Level certificates, special Awards were given to the following students:

• WARREN MEMORIAL AWARD 2011 – Christie Rosser
• AWARD FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT 2011 - Charlotte Cole and Laura Randall
• AWARD FOR ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR 2011 - Nikita Brocklehurst
• AWARD FOR SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 2011 - Tom Riley
• JOHN BULLER AWARDS 2011 - Mark Rapson, Jenny Goodman, Philippa Yellop, Tom Prideaux and Jonathan Wingfield-Hill

First class Musical entertainment was provided by ex Year 13 student, Tom Prideaux and ex student, Shaun Olver. They performed ‘Paradise’ by Coldplay and A Team by Ed Sheeran, to a very receptive audience.

Speaking after the event, Mrs Bryce said, “This was one of the best presentation evenings we have had. By scheduling it for the start of January, rather than before Christmas, more ex students were able to attend, as they were still home from University. Bishop Tim was an excellent, entertaining and thought provoking speaker. He spoke to our A Level students last year as part of their General Studies programme and everyone was very impressed, so it was good to be able to invite him back again to the school.”

Mr Scantlebury added, “It was a very challenging year for the 6th form students with the competition for University and other Higher education placements intense. I am so pleased they achieved high levels of success in their A levels last summer and have been able to proceed in their careers of choice.”

Two year 11 students at saltash.net are celebrating a significant win in the national Jaguar Cars ‘Maths in Motion’ competition. James King and Alex Ewings took top spot in the older secondary school students’ category beating Tunbridge Wells Grammar school into 2nd place! They won a big box of Maths and Jaguar Car goodies for themselves and for the school, including a £150 voucher for ‘Rapid Education’.

Now in its 11th season, the ‘Maths in Motion’ Challenge aims to help raise standards of achievement in Maths across an age range of 9-16, helping to motivate students and show them that Maths can be fun. Using computer software that simulates the setting up of a racing car, students encounter a variety of mathematical tasks (some practical) in an effort to win a series of races.

Maths teacher at saltash.net, Mr Gareth Jones, who has been coaching the students for the races, was also allowed a go himself and he also found himself up against stiff competition from across the country. Unfortunately, he didn’t win the overall competition, but he did manage a respectable 6th place!

Mr Jones has also been coaching primary school children from Landulph for the Jaguar cars races during the Autumn Term so fingers crossed there will be more exciting news during 2012!